I love discovering new music because it’s easy to categorize each new song based on the purpose it holds. Each new song is filtered into the following groups based on the way it manipulates the overall vibe in my atmosphere: workout music (for those rare occasions), meditating music (usually worship music), turn-up music (ratchet stuff that overlaps with the workout category), forward-to-a-friend music (not for me, but for a friend), trash (not worthy of being called music and never to be revisited), etc. But, in this article, I’m focusing on study/work music. These albums are proven to be trustworthy and bear my stamp of approval for grind-inducing sounds:

1. Random Access Memories by Daft Punk

This Grammy-award winning album is literally an impartation of the French duo’s genius and creativity, packaged artfully for our listening pleasures. Normally, I don’t like to have lyrics intrude on my thought processes when I’m working, but after the initial shock of the grooviness of each song, it’s pretty repetitive. The melodies are upbeat enough to keep you awake and bopping your head, but mellow enough to sharpen your focus. By the time Doin’ It Right fades out, you’ll feel so accomplished.

Favorite song: Touch (ft. Paul Williams)

2. The Lord of the Rings Score by Howard Shore

Lord of the Rings is my favorite trilogy of all time. I’m so familiar with the dialogue that I’ve been known to play the DVDs in the background while I’m working. But it bites me in the butt sometimes because I find myself getting distracted by the plot—what can I say? It never gets old. I found the solution at work when fellow LOTR fans and band geeks played the score. Before I registered what was playing, I felt my shoulders relax and my entire being center down to the most clear-minded version of myself. This music has all the intellectual value of Tolkien’s imagination and none of the distraction. Love it.

Favorite song: Epilogue (At the same time, there are far too many to really say for sure.)

3. The Beauty in All by Oddisee

Oddisee is a very clever rapper. His lyrics are too captivating, in fact, for me to maintain focus on my work. Luckily for his followers who study a lot, he’s also known for making beats that speak for themselves. Dynamic and relatable, each song will pull different emotions out of you. It might bring back memories that surprise you. Personally, I hear something different every time I listen. The first time I heard Afterthoughts, I was in Busboys & Poets with a friend. Over grapefruit soda, dimmed lights, a crabcake sandwich, and conversation with a loved one, this song made the moment ideal. Normally, I retain lyrics of catchy songs I hear in public for later, but this instrumental required use of the Shazam app. Since then, this album has been good for leisurely listening, but I mainly use it for work because if I could describe The Beauty in All in one word, it’d be smart. If you can resist free-styling over these beats, I know it’ll serve you equally well.

Favorite song: Afterthoughts

4. Chilly Gonzales in General

Amanda Sudano Ramirez, one-half of the warm and adorable band JohnnySwim, posted on Instagram about listening to Kenaston by Chilly Gonzales in her relaxation time. Because I long to know everything tangential to JohnnySwim, I instantly looked up Chilly and was introduced to another admirable figure. He’s a dope composer who’s worked with a lot of popular artists, from Drake, to Daft Punk, to Jhene Aiko. I can’t even fully appreciate him as a the creative savant he is with my crude level of technical knowledge, but I know his music is good. I love to watch his master’s class in Paris, where I shares some of his bars (yes, he has bars). Because I’m still exploring him, I can’t specify which album is best for homework. However, it’s all been great for me thus far. See the favorites that I’ve listed below for a place to start!

Favorite Song(s): Kenaston and Advantage Points (ft. Kaiser Quartett)

Bonus: Sometimes these work for me: any of the Bossa Nova guitar compilations on YouTube; one of those long 24-hour-long, mind-numbing Claude Debussy compilations; or a musical soundtrack you’re already familiar with, like Lion King on Broadway; Legally Blonde the Musical; or Les Mis. Happy studying!